Quick and Easy Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

These no-bake little peanut balls are so easy to prepare that surely you will want to keep them in mind while that yearning for peanut butter hits. Though I am the primary to admit that there may be nothing pretty just like the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I wanted something truly healthier and this late night snack satisfied my yearning in infrequently anytime in any respect.

I do not have kids, however if you do, that is an ideal and simple recipe to get your children inquisitive about the idea of making homemade treats. Of course, anyone inside the house, grownups and children alike, will revel in those creamy, milky little bites.

More peanut butter delights from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Cayenne Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares

Peanut Butter Carob Balls

Cherry Nut Bars

We all recognize a few nut bars, however this publish is set the coolest nuts lurking in your pantry. Enter those cherry pie bars with almonds and pistachios which can be perfectly transportable and energizing. No introduced sweetener right here ? Just the goodness of dried fruit coupled with nourishing uncooked nuts. After making up a number of those quick and clean bars, in no way once more will you want to go back to luxurious and typically inferior shop-offered sorts. Knowing what's on your meals and, by extension your frame, is one of the keys to properly fitness.

These are ideal for a quick breakfast repair, snacks at work or school, and also street journeys. They additionally make for a excellent dessert, without the guilt. Give these a attempt to see in case you don't agree.

More dried fruit delights from Lisa's Kitchen:

Brownies with Dried Fruit

Ginger Molasses Pancakes with Mixed Dried Fruit

Cocoa Fruit Treats

Santa's Panforte

No-Bake Coconut Oil Fudge

I recognise that after maximum people think about fudge, we do not consider it as always being the most healthful deal with, but in this example I assure you that it's far. Just the goodness of coconut oil, coconut milk, raw honey, unsweetened cocoa and some vanilla with a dash of almond extract.

I've been seeking out a manner to incorporate more coconut oil into my food plan other than just cooking with it and this recipe is prime right here. Just a few nibbles for the duration of the day and I'm getting a first rate dose of this excellent oil that has a mess of health benefits. For a while, I attempted setting some on my toast with a few jam, however that simply failed to do it for me. This is tons tastier.

I was going to include a few peanut butter into this fudge for a protein raise, but decided towards it due to the fact I wanted to flavor it with just a few lots of cocoa and some flavoring. I'm happy I did and I suspect that I can be exploring the opportunities within the near destiny. Visions of mint dance in my head and maybe even dried fruit for a chunkier version.

If you are running with less warm elements along with the coconut oil or honey, you will should work with them extra to get a easy consistency.

More healthful indulgences you're sure to revel in from Lisa's Kitchen:

Cherry Nut Bars

Chia Seed Pudding

Chocolate Cocoa Brownies with Dried Cranberries and Chickpea Flour

Cocoa Fruit Treats

What's with sharing my contemporary on the top of the studying stack and audio accompaniment, a few may additionally ask? Well, I'm a non-public soul and this is truely a glimpse into other mechanisms at play similarly to the meals.

On the pinnacle of the analyzing stack: sorting through the piles and sorting out the most up-to-date Food and Drink Magazine

Audio Accompaniment: Tom Opdahl - Black Smoker

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Over the beyond 12 months or so I've been especially interested by creating my personal power snacks and bars at domestic. Not most effective do you've got manage over the elements you use, it's miles cheaper than buying store-offered versions which are regularly encumbered with sugar and additives. In addition to nuts and dried culmination, peanut butter is often a feature of such snacks made in my kitchen because I admit that peanut butter is a weakness of mine. It is not uncommon to peer me eating peanut butter on one or greater occasions in some shape or other for the duration of the day.

My latest experiment was inspired by a cookbook I received for possible review entitled Rawsome Vegan Baking: An Un-cookbook for Raw, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Beautiful and Sinfully Sweet Cookies, Cakes, Bars & Cupcakes by Emily von Euw. I'll be having more to say about this beautiful and unique book again soon. For now, I will just say it is lavishly illustrated, featuring unique vegan and raw takes on old favorites. Pretty much all of the ingredients are staples you're likely have on hand in your kitchen, so no hunting around specialty stores or roaming the grocery aisle for additions that you may rarely have occasion to use again.

Although I was tempted by pretty much every recipe between the covers, my first choice was a raw version of peanut butter cookies. I have fond childhood memories of my mom's peanut butter cookies, and over the years I have experimented with different variations. As I move more and more away from refined sugars, this unbaked and raw version was especially appealing. Eggless and flourless, the sweetness comes from dried fruits. Soft and chewy, they are even better if you use chunky peanut butter. An additional bonus is that the cookies come together in hardly anytime at all if you have a food processor.

These cookies are so healthy and guilt-free, you won't feel bad at all about eating cookies for breakfast.

More healthy snacks and treats from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Cherry Nut Bars

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Cocoa Fruit Treats

No Bake Peanut Butter Carob Balls

Other peanut butter cookies from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies

Cayenne Peanut Butter Cookies

Raw Avocado Coconut Nanaimo Bars

There is a new cookbook on my shelf and I'm super excited about it. Rawsome Vegan Baking: An Un-cookbook for Raw, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Beautiful and Sinfully Sweet Cookies, Cakes, Bars & Cupcakes by Emily von Euw is all about sweet treats, all raw, gluten-free and vegan. Covered are old classics ranging from cookies, cakes, bars and cupcakes, pies and tarts, puddings and ice cream with a creative twist. Apart from the stunning and drool inducing photos that adorn each page, I was immediately struck by the unique selections that are essentially guilt-free.

Looking at the photos, you would think eating such decadent looking desserts would lead to a spike in your blood sugar, but in fact, the treats and desserts are actually good for you. Dried and fresh fruits and raw nuts are prominently featured and sweeteners, when they are used, are natural ones, such as maple syrup. Another especially appealing aspect of the book is that pretty much all of the basic ingredients are ones that you are likely to have on hand. No need to hunt around for unfamiliar ingredients that you may only use a few times, leaving them only to languish in the cupboard.

The first recipe I tried was one for raw peanut butter cookies from the multiple ones that I bookmarked. Next up was a this one for raw Nanaimo bars. My usual version of this classic treat is served only rarely on special occasions because they are so decadent. Needless to say, this much healthier version appealed to me. My best friend Basil has been hoping for years that I might come up with a variation that was not so laden with processed sugars, and this was just the right alternative.

I was amazed at how much they actually tasted like the usual custard-filled Nanaimo bar. Creamy avocado is a perfect substitution for custard and the crust, made up of dried fruit and almonds, makes for a perfect cookie-like naturally sweet base. Coconut oil helps bind together the middle layer and the cocoa topping. Sweetened also with maple syrup, you can enjoy this raw rich treat with minimal guilt. These delights literally melt in your mouth. The Nanaimo bars come highly recommended from my kitchen as does this cookbook.

Note: received a copy of this book for possible review. As always, the opinions expressed here are my own.

Other raw treats you are sure to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Quinoa Nut and Fruit Protein Bars

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Cocoa Almond Brownie Bites

Mini Tahini Cups with a Creamy Coffee Date Filling

Without a doubt, these addictive little uncooked power bites rank excessive on my listing of delectable treats. I've already made them twice, partly because I desired to get the proportions simply proper, and largely due to the fact I wanted to eat them once more, despite the fact that a batch yields about 20. They do maintain well although, as they are stored within the fridge and the fundamental components are coconut oil, tahini and dates ? No longer that they lasted very lengthy in my kitchen, specially thinking about I shared with friends. Peanut butter fan that I am, I definitely assume those rank proper up there with selfmade peanut butter chocolates.

This extremely good recipe is slightly tailored from a brand new favourite cookbook that I acquired for possible evaluation. I've written about Rawsome Vegan Baking earlier than and have not stopped the use of the e-book for suggestion due to the fact that. The unique recipe suggested serving them in widespread size muffin cup portions, but I desired to cause them to into smaller bite-size servings. Mind you, this did no longer prevent me from indulging in greater, as I might have possibly two (or greater!) at a given time. Good issue they're clearly sweetened and full of goodness and without guilt ? You'll not necessary think so due to the fact these luscious creamy date crammed delights fulfill the candy teeth just like the maximum decadent of cakes and actually melt in your mouth. Enjoy them whenever of day while the craving for a chunk of sweetness hits. You may not leave out the butter, sugar, nor the chocolate, in this example.

Other raw treats to strive from Lisa's Kitchen:

Avocado Coconut Nanaimo Bars

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Carob Balls

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

On the top of the reading stack: Dead Souls by Gogol

Audio Accompaniment: Gast?N Ar?Valo

Chia Seed Pudding

I've been hearing lots about the advantages of chia seeds these days, one of the trendy "superfoods", however till these days I had yet to attempt them even though they've long been a conventional food in a few cultures, so they may pleasant be taken into consideration an historic superfood.

My quality friend Basil had a bag of them that changed into exceeded on via a co-worker and he idea that I is probably inquisitive about arising with a recipe. Surely I was but, properly, with my distracted attention span mixed with Basil's, the ones little gems nearly went to the grave with us. We didn't neglect about them, but Basil forgot to bring them to me whilst he visited and I forgot to remind him to send them home with me when I visited. Finally they arrived returned in my kitchen and I went with a easy custard-like pudding that turned out even better than I imagined. I suppose you may describe the dish as tapioca-like. The chia seeds blow his own trumpet into little pearls as they soak, contributing a pleasing texture to this vegetarian and vegan-friendly pride. It may not be the prettiest pudding you may eat, but one of the maximum delicious I've had in a long time.

It makes for a first-class breakfast because it's no longer too sweet, however it is also a lovable dessert to give up any meal. If you'll revel in the pudding for breakfast, I might endorse getting the soaking method started earlier than you visit mattress ? It might not take lengthy.

The blessings of chia seeds are widely known at this point, I assume, although for lots of us the as soon as latest chia pets might be the nearest acquaintance with chia. It's all amusing to develop a hairy house plant however ingesting the seeds is even more enjoyable. Chia seeds fill you up with out excess calories as they're digested slowly because of their glutinous gel-like consistency. Gluten-free, chia seeds have interaction with digestive enzymes supporting to gradual the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar, supporting to manipulate blood sugar, whilst they may be additionally apparently an excellent supply of omega-three, fiber, iron, calcium, protein, diet C, potassium and antioxidants, to name only some of the perceived benefits. If you're new to chia seeds, start with some teaspoons and steadily boom your intake. Like many other ingredients, the key's moderation although ? You don't want to sprinkle them on the whole thing you eat for the duration of the day.

Chia seeds are commonly used as an egg replacer and are an terrific and scrumptious addition to soaked breakfast grains, smoothies and puddings inclusive of this.

More wholesome breakfast ideas from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Anooshavoor (Turkish Barley and Apricot Porridge)

Oat Mango Smoothie with Blackberries

Breakfast Quinoa Porridge

No-Bake Lemon Cherry Cheesecake

No-bake is pretty much proper at the moment, with temperatures hovering over 30 degrees similarly to the humidity which steps things up another 10 levels right here in southwestern Ontario. I never mind the heat, definitely, but even for me, who was freezing to the factor of sickness in the course of a in no way-ending lengthy Canadian iciness, it is a piece a good deal. Perhaps more sudden is that this savory female wanted to make a dessert within the first location, but sugar sparsely isn't going to harm you and this cake has a few wholesome additions except.

This recipe appealed to me mainly as it did not have a graham cracker base, but a blend of oats, walnuts and dried fruit. The authentic recipe known as for raisins, however I used a combination of dried cherries and cranberries as a substitute. Either manner, you are in for a deal with, especially whilst fresh cherries are in season for a amazing fresh-tasting no-prepare dinner cherry sauce served over top.

More cakes from Lisa's Kitchen you're positive to experience:

Ricotta Cheesecake with Mixed Berries and Balsamic Vinegar

Blueberry Ricotta Cheesecake

Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Ricotta Cheese

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

On the top of the reading stack: Affliction by Russell Banks

Audio Accompaniment: silence

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

When I want a snack or a quick chunk for breakfast, I frequently simply need immediately gratification and don't wish to clatter and bang round dishes and pots and pans to gratify the mind and tummy. An smooth and healthy answer is to have a batch of strength-packed selfmade protein treats available at all times which include these seedy little cocoa and peanut butter electricity bites which might be packed complete of nutrients, sweet without any brought processed sweetener, and simply bursting with dried fruit goodness. They take little or no time in any respect to combine up and they're raw too. No baking required.

This recipe allows for a few room to move round with some favorites from your very own pantry. Experiment together with your favourite dried end result, leave out the nut butter if desired and toss in different seeds or even dark chocolate or carob bits if you desire. Either manner, you're in for a healthy treat that however tastes like you're using the wave of decadence. The amounts I provide right here are difficult estimates as I tend to throw matters together with little or no "formal" measuring, besides for my eye this is guided by experience. I actually have, however, correctly written down what I did, with a little wiggle room here and there. These treats are simply rather forgiving, so if they are too moist to roll, just upload more cocoa, carob powder and/or cherries.

Other healthful bites from Lisa's Kitchen you're certain to experience:

Cocoa Fruit Treats

Cocoa Nut Butter No-Bake Fudge

Peanut Butter Carob Balls

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

Black Bean Cocoa Fudge

Before you grimace over the concept of beans presenting in a fudge, I urge you to put your hesitations aside and don't forget this evidently candy, protein-packed fudge. Honestly, you will by no means know there have been legumes in the mix if the cook hadn't spilled the beans.

I served one to a chum who was over for dinner however didn't tell him what was within the fudge till he had eaten a few nibbles. His first reaction became the fudge tasted like a natural food store. This turned into clearly a compliment as stated pal likes his legumes and healthy uncooked treats that are sweetened certainly without an abundance of processed sugars. The additional advantage, as a minimum for me, is that they arrive at a fragment of the value in comparison to the ones offered up from natural food stores. No flour is needed either, as the ground up beans serve that purpose.

Rich and creamy, best the beans must be cooked, however in any other case you have got an basically raw treat with no baking required. Sweetened simplest with dates, they genuinely do satisfy an after dinner chocolate craving. A few teaspoons of maple syrup could also be added if desired for a bit more intensity, however it is completely up to you and I failed to encompass any because it changed into handiest an after thought. It truly is not vital, and I become yearning this fudge quickly after the pan changed into consumed.

Looking for more wholesome fudge recipes?

Chickpea Flour Fudge

Raw Peanut and Coconut Butter Fudge

Cocoa Nut Butter No-Bake Fudge

Not-So-Guilty Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

I fondly recall making vacation treats with my mother. An addictive and extraordinarily smooth preferred, usually made for Christmas, have been classic peanut butter balls. No doubt a lot of us keep in mind those chocolate-lined treats with rice crispy cereal blanketed for delivered crunch and texture. I in no way should withstand peanut butter, and it often features in my no-bake treats and power bites.

The most effective problem with the traditional ones I enjoyed as a toddler is that they are lots too sugary for my tastes now. In addition to icing sugar, mother used no longer-so-natural peanut butter ? You recognize the sort that is not simply ground peanuts but rather a sugary unfold. I loved them anyway, however over the years I've looked for more healthy options to meet my sweet enamel.

I've stayed proper to the simplicity of the authentic recipe but ignored butter, and used natural peanut butter and sweetener. I even sold a box of "healthful" sprouted rice crisp cereal, even though I don't think it truly is surely vital ? I should not have felt responsible if I had used Rice Krispies, to inform the fact. But I dare say that this not-so-guilty version is even tastier and simply as addictive because the original, and it additionally takes place to be vegan friendly. Happily, if the urge to over-indulge is resisted, they may be proper for you too.

Note: Coconut flour is more absorbent than grain flours and in this recipe it's only required if the peanut butter used is somewhat runny. When stirred in, the mixture will thicken, so let it sit after adding a bit before adding more. The mixture before shaping should be moist, but neither too dry nor sticky.

Other peanut butter treats to revel in from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Raw Peanut Butter Fudge

Raw Peanut Butter Chocolate Nut Squares

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

Raw Peanut and Coconut Butter Fudge

No-Bake Almond and Cocoa Cherry Energy Bites

When it comes to meal times, I usually enjoy smaller portions, preferring to have smaller meals interspersed with healthy bites of energy throughout the day. This way of eating is a good way to maintain a healthy weight, and it aids in digestion because the body is not taxed with processing a large portion of food all at once.

This preference means that not only do I require a good stash of nuts and dried fruits on hand, as well as raw vegetables, but also snacks such as muffins and also healthy little raw energy bites such as these almond and dried cherry balls. They satisfy a sweet craving without the guilt. Packed with protein, these are not only satisfying and delicious, but are also very easy to make and keep well in the refrigerator for at least a week. I sweetened these with raw honey, but maple syrup or any other natural liquid sweetener could be used instead if you happen to be a vegan who avoids honey.

More raw nut or fruit treats:

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Cherry Nut Bars

Essentially Raw Pumpkin Bites

Raw Peanut Butter Cocoa Maple Squares

Creamy Chickpea Flour Peanut Butter Maple Fudge

It seems each time a try a different approach to vegan-friendly fudge, I declare that a new favorite has been born. I used to think dairy was pretty essential to a rich and decadent fudge, but I've since discovered otherwise. In fact, this chickpea flour fudge is reminiscent of maple fudge — the richness comes from the addition of coconut butter and oil and the maple syrup. However, it's nearly guilt-free, because everything in there is good for you and more forgiving to your waistline. You really only need a small piece to satisfy that craving for the richness that sometimes only a piece of fudge will satisfy.

Other vegan-friendly fudge recipes to try:

Raw Peanut Butter Fudge

Raw Peanut and Coconut Butter Fudge

No-Bake Peanut Butter and Cocoa Fudge

No-Bake Coconut Oil Fudge

Apricot Almond Energy Bites

Raw strength nibbles are often accessible in my kitchen. Easy to make up, all varieties of varieties and combinations can be used to make up healthy bites that make for a terrific accompaniment to breakfast or for a snack while a little burst of strength is wanted. Dried fruits, nuts and seeds are always a very good choice, and all three characteristic in this easy and forgiving recipe.

Since I discover myself munching on dried apricots frequently all through the day, along with small handfuls of almonds, I determined to mix the two. I introduced a few orange juice for a diffused citrus-y undertone the enhances the nutty sweetness of the alternative components. I could not face up to including some satisfactory darkish chocolate into the mixture too.

Other uncooked power bites from Lisa's Kitchen:

No-Bake Almond and Cocoa Cherry Energy Bites

Raw Peanut Butter Fudge

No-Bake Peanut Butter and Cocoa Fudge

Raw Peanut Butter Cocoa Maple Squares

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Many folks would possibly feel the want for a protein enhance from time to time to boost our energy or reserves. Protein bars are an easy and green way to get this improve, however if you're like me you might discover no longer most effective that store-offered protein bars are highly-priced but that most of them do not surely taste all that outstanding ? Kinda funny, in truth, even though the extraordinary flavor is tolerable.

So I decided that there was nothing stopping me from making my own protein bars, with the help of an idea from my copy of Power Hungry: The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook by Camilla V. Saulsbury. Like a great many of the store-bought protein bars, these homemade bars feature the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter — with the much added benefit of being able to control the quality of all the ingredients that go into your protein bar. Moreover, these homemade chocolate and peanut butter protein bars coated with an extra layer of peanut butter and coconut oil are soft and smooth like a frosted brownie. They're tasty enough that you'll be inclined to eat them whether you feel the need for a protein boost or not!

Aside from all the correct first-rate elements giving those protein bars a taste enhance, each four-inch bar provides 16 grams of protein ? As excellent as or even higher than most of the shop-sold bars.

Other peanut butter treats to experience from my kitchen:

Raw Peanut Butter Cocoa Maple Squares

Raw Peanut Butter Fudge

Cayenne Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

How to Freeze Grapes

For folks who adore fruit, frozen grapes are pretty a deal with. Slightly more impregnable at the outdoor than the flesh beneath the skin, the grapes keep a crunchy texture with the added bonus of an additional burst of sweetness and kick back ? Snacking on a few of those is like having more than one bites of refreshing sorbet on a heat summer day. A snap to prepare, frozen grapes maintain nicely for an amazing few months in a sealed bag. Not most effective are frozen grapes a sweet standalone snack or function on an appetizer plate, they also happen to be a delicious addition to smoothies. Be certain to serve a few up in yogurt or a bowl of granola. You many also want to bear in mind the usage of frozen grapes in recipes calling for frozen berries and end result.

No-Bake Blueberry Bars

The creation of blazing southwestern Ontario summer warmth method that it is time to enjoy refrigerated treats and the clean taste of summer season berries ? Or better yet, refrigerated berry treats! I'm particularly partial to blueberries and healthy and nourishing uncooked treats, so these two-layer no-bake raw blueberry bars combine the exceptional of each worlds. Chewy, cool and refreshing, those are best bars to preserve handy within the refrigerator or to p.C. Into a picnic cooler on warm days.

More blueberry delights from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Quinoa Blueberry Bites

Peanut Butter and Blueberry Shortbread Bars

Dumplings in Blueberry Syrup

Classic Blueberry Muffins

Raw Nut and Seed Chocolate Chunk Mint Energy Balls

Raw selfmade nut and seed treats are ideal little bundles of protein, proper fats, fiber and other mineral vitamins which could keep you going among meals or at any time of day. In reality, I can't say some thing against them ? They're clean to make, keep for a long term, and flavor actually scrumptious.

Chocolate and mint is one among my favorite combos, so these little power balls are flavored with peppermint extract, cocoa and chunks of suitable satisfactory darkish chocolate similarly to the healthful medley of nuts, nut butter, seeds and maple syrup. They're so precise that there was never any threat of them lasting for the two weeks that they might preserve.

More uncooked power boosting treats to revel in from Lisa's Kitchen:

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Cherry Nut Bars

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Peanut Butter Carob Balls